Creatures of the Woodland

I have made it my mission this late summer to hold a fun picnic. The sort that you imagine the Bloomsbury set having in the 1920's. Long sunny afternoons, dressed in unusual outfits and drinking champagne with a raspberry dropped in for good measure. At my magical picnic, or dinner party if wet, I will be giving each one of my glamorous guests an Abigail Brown animal mask to wear - nothing says fun to me than a party with a mask and these beautifully drawn, grown-up versions are perfect for a summer picnic/party.

You may be thinking why on earth would I want to wear an animal mask at a party but, as the bohemian Bloomsbury lot knew, things are much more fun the more adventurous your attire.

So I am picturing my friends in their summer dresses or perhaps high waisted oxford bags lazing around and feeling a little more relaxed as a fox, rabbit, cat or bear. Why not give one to each of your guests and see if the usual need to 'break the ice' seems to vanish!

Woodland Creature Masks

£6.50 each available here in the Exhibition room

There's Beauty on the Outside

This morning I selected a pair of Erica Weiner's miniature Oyster Shell earrings to wear for the day and since then I've been asking myself what it is I love about these tiny wonders?

After much consideration I came to a conclusion: Because the outer shell of the oyster is, lets be honest, not as beautiful as the iridescence mother of pearl it is lined with or as covetable as the glimmering pearl it protects, the shell itself rarely gets the attention it deserves.

That is until Erica decided to celebrate these ancient creatures with these stunningly cast three dimensional earrings. Each one holds three tiny oyster shells as if they have been caught that day, dipped in gold and left to dry in the sunlight.

And as I wear these little wonders I imagine what minuscule pearl is sleeping inside...

Oyster Shell Earrings, £26

Available in the jewellery Department